Power controlled network devices for security and power conservation

Abstract

The present invention provides method and systems for activating or deactivating network devices by managing the power of the network device. By controlling the power for network devices, the size and coverage of the network can be adjusted to meet the needs for the current usage. This can be particularly advantageous in wireless networks where multiple wireless access points may be provided to provide coverage during peak usage but present the additional security concern of the network being accessible to unauthorized users. Being able to power down unneeded wireless access points during off-peak usage allows for the minimization of such potential security concerns.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for managing operational power of a wireless network access point device, the method comprising:
 determining a number of users associated with a wireless network access point device associated with a coverage area, the number of users being associated with an area of a network having an overlap in RF network access coverage; 
 detecting a change in the number of users associated with the wireless network access point device; and 
 in response to the detecting, managing the coverage area of the wireless network access point device by powering up or down all or a portion of the wireless network access point device based on the changed number of users. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the determining the number of users comprises:
 determining a presence of one or more users of the network. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the managing of the coverage area of the wireless network access point device comprises:
 controlling a state of the wireless network access point device. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the controlling of the state of the wireless network access point device comprises:
 instructing the wireless network access point device to operate in a reduced power mode. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the managing of the coverage area of the wireless network access point device comprises:
 adjusting one or more parameters of the wireless network access point device. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein power to the wireless network access point device is provided by Power Over Ethernet (POE). 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining a level of redundancy in the network. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining an event in the network. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the event in the network relates to at least one of network security, network connectivity, network coverage, a presence of a device, and a presence of a user of the network. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the network is a wireless network. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising determining a state of wireless connectivity provided by the network. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the network comprises multiple wireless network devices, wherein the managing of the coverage area of the wireless network access point device comprises:
 managing power requirements of one or more of the multiple wireless network devices based on one or more operational characteristics of the network. 
 
     
     
       13. A wireless network access point device comprising:
 a port adapted to receive a transmission medium for transmitting a power signal; 
 a power consumption module having circuitry configured to manage operational power consumption of the wireless network access point device; and 
 a control module for:
 determining a number of users associated with a wireless network access point device associated with a coverage area, the number of users being associated with an area of a network having an overlap in RF network access coverage, 
 detecting a change in the number of users associated with the wireless network access point device, and 
 in response to the detecting, managing coverage area of the wireless network access point device based on the changed number of users, wherein the managing of the coverage area of the wireless network access point device causes the circuitry in the power consumption module to power up or down all or a portion of the wireless network access point device. 
 
 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 functionality to provide one or more network services. 
 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 13 , wherein the control module determines the number of users upon detecting a presence of one or more users of the network. 
     
     
       16. The device of  claim 13 , wherein the control module changes a state of the wireless network access point device. 
     
     
       17. The device of  claim 16 , wherein the state of the wireless network access point device is a power mode, and wherein the control module is configured to manage the coverage area of the wireless network access point device by instructing the circuitry in the power consumption module to operate the wireless network access point device in a reduced power mode. 
     
     
       18. The device of  claim 13 , wherein the control module manages the coverage area of the wireless network access point device upon detecting a level of overlap in the coverage area. 
     
     
       19. The device of  claim 13 , wherein the control module is configured to manage the coverage area of the wireless network access point device by adjusting one or more parameters of the wireless network access point device based on one or more operational characteristics of the network.